Chisholm leaves ball to avoid broken bat: 'Don't want to die'

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was involved in a strange play during the fourth inning of Monday's loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

Cleveland infielder Brayan Rocchio flared a broken-bat liner in Chisholm's direction, but Chisholm turned his back thinking the bat was heading for him, allowing the ball to scoot past him for an RBI single.

"I want to make every play out there for my guy, but at the same time you don't want to die," Chisholm said postgame, according to Erik Boland of Newsday.

Chisholm added he was struck in the calf by a shattered bat when he played in Single-A.

The 27-year-old hit a two-run homer to cut the deficit in the eighth inning, but the Yankees ultimately dropped the game 6-4.